Analysis of Pipeline Exposure Data and Scoping Review of Exposure Scenarios

Matrix Solutions Inc.

August 2018

Executive Summary

This report provides the Petroleum Technology Alliance Canada (PTAC) with initial scoping of several topics within a broader planning level discussion regarding pipeline abandonment and management of long-term risk associated with pipe abandonment in place. The request by PTAC was the 013 work package entitled “Analysis of Pipeline Exposure Data and Scoping Review of Exposure Scenarios.” The work involved four topics:

• Interpretation of pipe exposure data to estimate the likelihood of future pipe exposure of abandoned pipelines.
• Description of expected buoyancy control longevity for various practices, and recommendations of future studies to improve predictions of buoyancy control longevity.
• Preparation of a recommended work plan to evaluate low impact pipe removal methods for sensitive ecological areas.
• Preparation of a recommended work plan to measure the potential for pipe exposure due to frost heave.

This report also describes  the  potential  for  frost  action  to  impact  abandoned  buried  pipelines, and concludes that this is highly unlikely. A work plan is described to confirm this conclusion, and a detailed assessment of a previous PTAC report explains the conclusions.

Final Report